Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1887-03-25
know that old Mrs. Cole of Barnville's

| come IN and tell.
"Well, l can't conveniently stop Jest
now, as it's time to be putting on dinner,
and Hiram's SO particular. But Nv Jest
this mint heerd from Mrs. Brown that
the old lady was a-dying yesterday, when
Mrs. Stebbins left Barnville, and of
course, the funeral will be tomorrow.
| Wonder if your sister Cole will goC'
! 81 don't know as she's heard of it.
Miss Fanny Bates answered, in some ex-
citement. But I'll go right round and
see. We never heard she was sick, or
Jane would have gone up to see her,
though commonly there amt much visit
ing between 'em."
Mrs. John Cole was busy making APP
pie dumplings when her sister rushed into
the kitchen.
''Jane-oh, my! Pm most out o.
breath Have you heard of old Mrs.
Coles death in Barnyille2n
Mrs. John dropped the dumpling which
she was just rounding symmetrically in
the palms other hands.
Good gracious, Fanny you've given
did you hear it2"
''She was dying when Mrs. Stebbins
left Barnville yesterday, and Mrs. Miller
says the funeral will be tomorrow"
"And they never sent me a word of
messagel Well, that beats! But then
we ought to make allowance for folks,
when there's death in the family, and
so much grief and trouble, and such a lot
of things to attend to. Besides, it
mightn't be convenient to get horse
and a boy to come fifteen miles to let us
know; so all the same, we'll go to the
funeral. 'Twouldn't look friendly, nor
like kin, not to do so; and you can go
can go along with us, Fanny, being
Johns sister-in-law. They'd take it
kindly OF you"
"And there's Mrs. Hill," said Fanny.
''She's some sort O kin to the Coles on
the old mans side. Maybe she and her
daughter would like to go, as they've
got carryall Of their own. I'll just run
round and let her know"
Mrs. John returned to her dumplings,
with deep sigh.
''It does seem heartless and unfeeling
to be making apple-dumblings for dinner
and ones husbands kin lying dead in
her cotfin,n she remarked to her half
grown daughter. Lucky, there's that
cake we made for Sundays meeting.
I'll take it with me, for there'll be sight
of folks from distance come to the
funeral, and some of 'em will have to
stay to dinner. And you can get good
basket of grapes out Of the garden,
Lizzie. They're early and won't come in
amiss."
"And we must have plenty of white
flowers, you know, ma," said Lizzie, in
lively excitement and anticipation; land
I'll wear black sash with my white
dress, like Judge Martins daughters at
old Miss Martins funeral"
"We1l all wear our black dresses"
said Mrs. Cole. ''It looks more respect
ful-like; and Pm told it's the fashion at
funerals, even where there's no kim"
So, next morning, bright and early,
two vehicles were seen to leave the little
village, closely crowded with black
robed figures, most of whom carried
wreathes and punches of white flow
ers.
In this part of the country it was the
custom to have all "buryings" at precise
ly one o'clock, so the party had no fear
of being too late for the funeral
Mr. John Cole drove his own wagon,
and Mrs. Hill hers, containing her dangh-
ter and couple of neighbors, who, hay
ing slight acquaintance with the Barn
vile Coles, considered it but friendly
and respectful to the family to attend
the funeral.
They went at brisk rate until they
approached Barnville, whose principal
street they entered at a proper and be-
coming funeral pace.
''It does seem to me as if sort O.
shadder hangs over the place to-day"
Mrs. Hill observed, as she looked from
under her spectacles at the people pass
ing. "Poor old lady! her death will be
felt for better woman never lived"
"Look there's the house, with the
parlorwindows shet, and, l declare, lit
tie Jenny Cole carrying in cheers"
"And just see that pile Of old ivy rub
bish at the foot of the back steps
They've been fixing up the parlor with
earrings on the walls" said another.
''And yonders the minister, across at
the 'pothecary's, talking to Jeems Cole
himselfp exclaimed Mrs. Cole. "And
he in his everyday clothes, and looking
not a bit downcast. Well, suppose
he hasn't had time to dress"
They alighted at the front door, where
they were met by Master Johnny, who,
suddenly boiling out, nearly knocked
down stout Mrs. Hill before he knew it.
"Well, Johnny, how are your said
Mrs. John, in tone of commiseration.
'And how is your poor ma, Johnny2"
"Shes very well, thank yer, ma'am!"
answered Johnny, with parrot-like polite
ness, while staring round upon the visit
ors with beaming countenance.
''Well, Johnny, show as the way, and
go and let your folks know that we're
here. He don't seem to care Bit" she
added, as the boy skipped off; "but
then" looking around on her own eager
eyed offspring, "children never can realize
the awfulness of death"
They walked solemnly into the parlor,
the door of which Johnny had proudly
thrown open, and seating themselves in
black row against the wall, rigidly
awaited the appearance of one of the
family.
'It's mighty strange that the coffin
isn't in here" whispered Miss Bates.
"And such a show of flowers All sorts
of colors, tool"
81 smell cake" said Mrs. Hill.
Just then Master Johnny's voice was
distinctly heard, calling at the head of
the kitchen-stairs:
"Bess 1 say, Bessl Here's lot of
folks come to the circus"
"Gracious goodness !" said Mrs. Cole.
"Did you ever2" whispered Mrs. Hill.